Convenor

About

The Graduate Student Network (GSN) is the student arm of the ECPR. Reflecting the international scope and professional objectives of the ECPR, the GSN’s key objective is to provide a platform to support and encourage students at the very first stages of their career.

The GSN is a relatively new activity of the ECPR and as such, members have the opportunity to shape its development and reach within the community.

Membership of the GSN is free of charge and open to any graduate student, PhD candidate or post-doctoral researcher enrolled at an academic/research institution. Membership opens up a framework for networking and joint initiatives and a forum for the exchange of ideas and experiences through the website, social media (Facebook page and Twitter hashtag #ecpr_gsn) and both academic and social events organised for GSN members at ECPR events such as the General Conference etc.

Activities

GSN activities include:

Panels at the ECPR General Conference (the largest annual political science conference in Europe) and the biennial ECPR Graduate Student Conference;

Graduate development panels and social events at ECPR conferences and events;

Advertisements for academic jobs across Europe and the rest of the world on the GSN website;

Networking and discussion opportunities through the GSN website and social media.

The GSN is part of the ECPR’s wider activities for graduate students, including:

The ECPR Methods School, which includes the Winter- and Summer Schools in Methods and Techniques held annually in February and July/August respectively – ECPR members receive a discount on fees.

Prizes for students and young scholars at ECPR member institutions/events:

the Jean Blondel PhD Prize (awarded to an outstanding PhD thesis);

the Hans Daalder Prize (awarded to the best paper presented at the Graduate Student Conference);

the Cora Maas Award (for the best evaluated course at the ECPR Summer School in Methods & Techniques); and

the Dirk Berg-Schlosser Award (given for the best participant poster at the ECPR Summer School in Methods & Techniques).

Graduate Student Conference, held biennially – ECPR members receive a discount on fees.

Constitution

NAME

There is hereby formally established the Graduate Student Network of the European Consortium for Political Research (GSN).

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

The general purposes of the network shall be to promote the development of political science in Europe, in particular by fostering collaboration between universities and other European institutions active in political research at the graduate and postdoctoral level, by increasing the contacts between them and their knowledge of each other’s research, by making it easier for them to engage in co-operative advanced research, training and research-led teaching.

In particular, this network is aimed at graduate students as well as post-doctorates. Its aim is to facilitate graduate and post-doctoral academic and research activity and networking. It provides a framework for interaction and joint initiatives of junior researchers in social sciences with the following:

An online members' database which allows network members to contact and be contacted by colleagues with related research interests;

Dedicated web-pages;

An electronic newsletter regularly distributed to the network members;

Thematic research workshops

Lobbying for an increased graduate participation at ECPR main events such as the General Conference and the Joint Sessions

Graduate development panels and events at the ECPR General Conference; and

An ECPR Graduate Student Conference each two years

MEMBERSHIP

Any researcher of any university or college or institute or any comparable scholarly institution in Europe engaged in the world engaged in teaching, training and research in political science may apply for membership of the Network, provided that they are either a graduate student or have received their PhD within the past three years. Once admitted, such a person shall be known as a member of the Graduate Student Network until they resign, their membership is withdrawn, or they cease to be eligible. Membership should not incur additional fees.

CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE

(a) The Co-ordinating Committee shall consist of a minimum six junior researchers. It is the duty of the co-ordinating committee to organise online elections at, or shortly after each graduate conference (along with Central Services). Those elected must, at the time of their election, belong to a full ECPR member institution and meet the criteria for ordinary membership. Members of the Co-ordinating Committee shall be elected for a term of two years. The next elections will be organised in 2016.

(b) Members of the Co-ordinating Committee shall serve on the committee for a maximum of two terms, once renewable.

(c) A member of the Co-ordinating Committee who ceases to be attached to a member institution of the ECPR or who ceases to meet the criteria for ordinary membership shall cease to belong to the Committee as soon as their position is filled at the next available election.

(d) General elections are held every two years in conjunction with the Graduate Student Conference.

(e) Where no one has been elected for this purpose, the Co-ordinating Committee shall have the right of co-option. The person filling the vacancy in either way shall hold his or her seat until the next election of members of the Co-ordinating Committee.

(f) Any vacancies that occur on the Co-ordinating Committee in the three months prior to an election shall remain unfilled until that election. (g) The Co-ordinating Committee organise a Committee meeting once a year. In addition, working groups of maximum 3 persons may be set up to deal with any special issue which may occur. The proposal of the working group is adopted by majority.(h) Special meetings shall be convened upon the request of a majority of the Committee.

VOTING

(a) This Constitution may be amended by a unanimity of the members of the Co-ordinating Committee, provided that the changes are accepted by the ECPR Executive Committee.

(b) No proposal for amendment of the Constitution will be considered unless at least two months' notice has been given to all members and the meeting at which it is to be considered shall have been properly convened.

(c) The Co-ordinating Committee deals also with non-constitutional issues. In this respect, decisions will be taken by majority.